Reviewers Rating: 
Excellent
We honeymooned here in June 2002. The rates were amongst the cheapest available all year as it's the start of the rainy season. Now, I don't know if we had a freaky weather week, but the weather was perfect! There were the usual very early morning and very late night showers, but they were so early and late they never affected anything we were doing.Now, the Royal is a superb choice. It's more adult orientated, we saw two kids for the whole 12 nights we were there - and they were the managers whose family was visiting! I wouldn't recommend the hotels for families (although the rooms are large enough) as it did suit the quieter guest.
That said it was low season and the hotel was only 25% full - there were days when we would have the whole pool complex to ourselves - wonderful in our wedded bliss state! However, I'm sure it gets busier at peak times, but the hotel is on spacious grounds so I doubt it would ever feel too crowded.
We arrived around 9pm and were greeted with either a fruit or rum punch and ice cold flannels. The lobby is big and open air with central water feature. We and our baggage were taken through the gardens to our room . We stayed in a beachfront suite (there are only 8 of these types of room) Wow!! The air con had been on so it was lovely and cool. As you walk in there is a seperate hallway and to your left is the bedroom. It has voile curtains so when you sleep it's more private - very handy as my husband and would often have afternoon naps and the other would sit on the balcony or watch tv with no interruptions - there was a 6' bed, television, dressing table and lourved door built in wardrobes. Off the bedroom was the door to the bathroom - with two sinks, bathrobes, bath and seperate walk in shower with side jets.
Carrying on down the hall you step down into the huge lounge - the ceilings are very high making it feel even bigger, my guess is the lounge was about 18' x 18'. It has two desk areas, two x 2 seater cane sofas, tv with dvd player and minibar underneath. Marble floor tiles and light colours - it was gorgeous.
Then the best bit. Double patio doors led onto the balcony. HUGE! Around 15 x 20' long. It had a sink and minibar outside too. Three sun loungers. Two tables and four chairs. As you walk out and look over the edge, Reduit beach is below you - the view is outsanding, right over to Pigeon Island. The balconies were very private as there were walls seperating you from the people either side, and it was high enough to shield you from people on the beach if you were lying on one of the loungers.
Over all we have been spoiled for life now as far as the room size goes. These beachfront rooms are more expensive - but if you can afford it go for it - it's more than worth it.
The other room types had nothing wrong with them, but they were less private and although they had the same layout as our suite, they were smaller. The balconies/terraces are also fairly small (but then we may have got too big for our boots after seeing our beachfront terrace). Whatever room type you stay in you're sure to be pleased.
The pool is in a figure of 8 type shape with a rock garden with small waterfall in one circle and the sunken swim up bar in the other. Vanessa served us some wonderful cocktails during our stay and we had some lovely conversations with her. There is a decking area with tables and chairs round the pool, and at the top had sunloungers with parasols.
The beach has about a dozen palapas and sun loungers, the water is clear although you don't get the 'blue' effect as the sand is golden rather than white. Watersports were available from the beach outside the hotel or a little bit up the beach at the Rex St Lucian. The average cost was about US$10 for half and hour double kayaks or pedaloes. Sailing was about $30 including tuition then 30 mins sailing.
Would not recommend going half board as there are loads of restaurants within a five minute walk of the hotel. Although - the buffet breakfast must be tried. We ate there a few times - the rest of the time we found a little cafe called Natashas where we'd have coffee and toasted cheese sandwiches for EC$7.
The hotel restaurants are also good, the staff are very good. Chic was an exquisite experience, as well the other restaurant where you can eat indoors or on the beach deck. One night we were the only people eating on the beach deck, so they moved our table onto the sand by the waters edge - very romantic!
Now I've told my life story, I'll sum up by saying this hotel is well worth staying at - not cheap but if you want that luxurious touch you have to pay for it, and depending on how important pre budgeting is, it's best to stay room only as there are alot of dining options within 5 minutes. Best for couples looking for a peaceful time at the hotel, but some local life nearby. Families would be better off at the Rex St Lucian next door as there are more facilities.
Lisa
Lisa
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